The Chinese authorities on Friday imposed a lockdown in Xi’an, in the north of the country, a city of 13 million inhabitants, as a result of a rise in Covid-19 cases more than a month before the Beijing Winter Olympics.
The inhabitants of Xi’an must “remain in their houses except for imperative reasons,” the authorities said in a statement in which they specified that only one person per household is allowed to go out to do the shopping “every two days.”
The city, known for its terracotta army buried, had already heavily restricted movements to contain a Covid-19 outbreak.
Xi’an reported on Wednesday 52 coronavirus infections, bringing the total number of cases to 143 since December 9.
China remains on alert for local outbreaks of Covid-19 in several cities as the Beijing 2022 Winter Games nears in February.
Xi’an began testing all of its residents on Tuesday. Some 90 residential areas were confined, although it was not specified how many people are affected by the measure.
Since Wednesday morning, Xi’an residents cannot leave the city by train without an official letter stating that the trip is essential, reported the state CCTV network
Long-distance bus terminals were closed and authorities set up disease checkpoints on the roads around Xi’an, according to the government.
More than 85% of flights to and from the city’s main airport were suspended, the flight controller said VariFlight.
Within the city the maximum capacity of buses and trains was reduced and schools were closed.
China, where the coronavirus, practically eliminated new infections since the middle of last year with a Zero Covid-19 strategy, which includes strong border restrictions, targeted closures and quarantines.
The southern city of Dongxing on Tuesday ordered its 200,000 residents to stay home after a single contagion was detected.
Reference-www.eleconomista.com.mx